"There are indeed some things I need you to do."
On top of the giant rock, the breeze lifted his bangs. The young Orochimaru stopped beating around the bush and spoke directly to himself. "I need you to go to Ryuuchi Cave for me and fulfill a promise."
"A promise?"
"Orochimaru" narrowed his eyes slightly, understanding that the other party was referring to helping the White Snake Sage transform.
He looked the young Orochimaru up and down and chuckled, "It seems the transformation didn't give you overwhelming power."
Otherwise, he wouldn't have used a clone to avoid risk. But as he thought this, "Orochimaru" frowned again, confused, "Why didn't you create another clone?"
He naturally knew that a body and soul that had not undergone transformation had relatively lower value. But now that it was clear that the soul could not be reconnected after breaking the seal, why still choose this option?
Sending himself there might not accomplish anything, especially since he hadn't experienced the transformation firsthand.
"My body isn't in good condition to use the Splitting Technique right now."
The young Orochimaru shook his head.
After undergoing the transformation, he had a deeper understanding of the "Slug Splitting Technique."
Just as Slug Sage's growth was an accumulation of "quantity," her splitting was also a separation of "quantity." And "quantity" was precisely what Orochimaru lacked most at the Six Paths level. The reason he thought of "helping" the White Snake Sage transform was to create an opportunity to obtain "quantity."
Under these circumstances, he naturally couldn't split carelessly.
Perhaps with further cultivation technique improvements, he could "pull out a single hair and blow out ten thousand snakes" in the future, but that time was definitely not now. He could only settle for the next best thing.
"Don't worry about how the plan should proceed," a golden light flashed in the young Orochimaru's eyes. "By using the Spiritual Transformation Technique or the Curse Mark, you might be able to return to my body."
"Heh... even if it fails, you can still leave this body behind, right?" "Orochimaru" chuckled. "You've really thought this through, but... alright."
Orochimaru was not only ruthless to others but also to himself, not minding being a sacrifice.
"Since you have no objections, then let's do it."
The young Orochimaru nodded slightly, his gaze suddenly turned to the underground, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Is it White Zetsu?" "Orochimaru" followed his gaze and understood, chuckling, "But judging by your appearance, you don't seem to be planning to hide it from them."
"I can't hide it," the young Orochimaru shook his head.
Destroying the seal of "Chibaku Tensei" wasn't too difficult, but to set it up again, even if it wasn't at the Six Paths level, would be impossible in a short period.
This was a Dojutsu, an ability awakened and possessed from birth. Even though it was easier for him, as a ninja of the same level, to study and learn it, saying it was a piece of cake would be an exaggeration.
"With Kabuto watching, I'll know the Akatsuki organization's reaction immediately."
The young Orochimaru smiled. "For now, let's focus on the matter of Ryuuchi Cave."
…
Inside the lightless cave.
Zetsu hid in the darkness, his lifeless eyes now filled with deep confusion and... apprehension.
The "Chibaku Tensei Technique," the strongest sealing technique in the ninja world, was something he believed could not be undone without the Rinnegan. Yet, it had been undone by the opponent after its activation.
How was this possible? Orochimaru... how could he?
Shock and disbelief, deeply ingrained beliefs were overturned in an instant. Even Black Zetsu, with his profound composure, couldn't grasp his emotions for a moment.
"How exactly did he do it?"
Black Zetsu's expression was serious as he searched through countless pieces of information in his mind, desperately trying to figure out the reason.
He knew a lot. As an observer who had watched the civilization of ninja in the ninja world grow to its current state, in a sense, his understanding of the ninja world surpassed even that of the Sage of Six Paths.
After all, the latter looked down from above; as long as the ninja world was not in danger of collapse, ordinary turmoil and fluctuations wouldn't catch his eye.
But Black Zetsu was different.
As one of the parties who lost in that war a thousand years ago, he had a more specific goal than his two brothers. To break the seal on Kaguya Otsutsuki, he had worked tirelessly, constantly seeking opportunities.
Every change in the ninja world, in his eyes, had to be analyzed for its potential.
But this existence, like a museum of the ninja world, could not figure out how Orochimaru had succeeded at this moment.
"Impossible... there isn't the slightest trace."
Black Zetsu's face darkened, and he suddenly closed his eyes, issuing an order to all White Zetsu clones in the ninja world: go and confirm Orochimaru's whereabouts in the recent period.
In the battle about forty to fifty days ago, although Orochimaru had successfully repelled Nagato and others through strategy and tactics at the time, he clearly hadn't displayed this kind of power then.
Some change had evidently occurred during this intervening period.
After issuing the order, Black Zetsu opened his eyes again and pondered, "What should I do now? I can't just wait... Yes, I need to inform Obito and Nagato quickly."
Originally, Nagato, who possessed the Rinnegan, was almost invincible in the ninja world, and Obito had the best escape skills in the entire ninja world. He didn't need to worry too much about them.
But now, he couldn't be so relaxed anymore. Although he didn't know Orochimaru's exact strength, this guy could clearly pose a threat to both of them.
The 'Rinnegan,' Madara Uchiha's Rinnegan, was a hard-won hope after a thousand years. It absolutely could not be given up casually.
"I have to hurry..." A flicker of urgency flashed in Black Zetsu's eyes. Two large pitcher plant leaves wrapped around him, and he sank rapidly into the ground.
…
In a conference room in the middle of the black spire, the air suddenly twisted into a giant Uzumaki. The next moment, Obito stepped out. He looked at Nagato, who had appeared in person, and a strange light flashed in his eyes.
The effect of the First Hokage cell transplant surgery on Nagato was too miraculous.
This oppressive feeling was something even the original owner of the Rinnegan, Madara Uchiha, had never possessed. Although the Madara Uchiha he had seen was on his deathbed, Nagato had also been bedridden for many years.
Could the Rinnegan truly be obtained from such a Nagato...
As this thought crossed his mind, Obito quickly restrained himself. The time was not right; it was not yet time to turn against each other. Moreover, he was here today because of a common enemy of the Akatsuki organization...
"Today, I received news from White Zetsu..."
Obito looked at Nagato's expression and said slowly, "About a month ago, the 'Chibaku Tensei' seal you used on Orochimaru's clone has just been broken."
"I know. I sensed it earlier."
Nagato's expression remained unchanged, and he nodded slightly. Then he asked, "Besides that, do you have any other information? Have you tried to probe Orochimaru's current strength?"
"What can a mere White Zetsu clone test? Others, heh..."
Obito shook his head and said, "Orochimaru before was already a ninja in a class of his own, his strength rivaling Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha of the Warring States period. Ordinary ninjas were indistinguishable before him."
"Oh, interesting. You're not calling yourself Madara Uchiha now, are you?"
Nagato looked up, examined Obito from head to toe, and said slowly, "It seems you're in quite a hurry."
"With a great enemy before us, we need to be honest with each other."
Obito took off his tiger-patterned mask, revealing a half-disfigured face, and said, "Besides, even if I don't say it, hasn't Konan's intelligence been investigating me recently?"
The unexpected incident during the previous battle had caused his emotions to erupt without warning.
Not to mention that he had taken Kakashi's Sharingan. The traces exposed were too numerous. Whether it was Konan's subordinates or Konoha, the guesses about his identity were already very close to the truth. There was no need to hide it anymore.
Obito put on another mask, and his two scarlet eyes stared directly at the red-haired man on the wooden bed, saying slowly, "Moreover, I haven't lied much."
"As the successor to Madara Uchiha's will, I am qualified to act in his name."
"Silver-tongued..." Nagato shook his head. "But, forget it. I'm not here today to discuss your mistakes."
With his strength and Dojutsu further improved, Nagato didn't feel that Obito could threaten him as much as before, even if the latter had completed his Mangekyo Sharingan.
"So, why are you looking for me today? Do you have any good ideas in mind?"
Meeting Nagato's gaze, a red light flashed in Obito's eyes, and he said slowly,
"It's not exactly a good idea, but it's just the same old song. I want you to speed up your previous actions, such as collecting the tailed beasts... Although your strength has greatly increased, if you can get rid of the constraint of the Gedo Mazo sooner and use it as a weapon instead, with this gain and loss, the opportunity to eliminate Orochimaru and completely control the ninja world will be much greater."
After being strengthened by the First Hokage cells, Obito didn't know how much Nagato had been reinforced. But even if Nagato could use supreme Dojutsu like 'Reanimation' and 'Chibaku Tensei,' he absolutely couldn't know the secret of the Ten-Tails.
Using this as bait to push the 'Tailed Beast Collection Plan' had some risks, but it was a last resort under the current circumstances.
Orochimaru was too dangerous. Even though Obito had his Sharingan back, he was unwilling to face him directly. This kind of matter should be handled by Nagato.
"…"
After a moment of silence in the conference room, Nagato said calmly, "Indeed, let's not mention the Nine Tails for now. The other tailed beasts don't need to be delayed any longer..."
He looked at Obito in front of him and said, "Tomorrow, I will go to Kumogakure and bring back the Two-Tails and Gyuki's Jinchuriki. The two Jinchuriki from Iwagakure will be left to you. Don't give Konoha time to react."
"The Four-Tails Jinchuriki Roshi's whereabouts have been unknown for the past few years, and he may have already died... However, I will bring you the two Jinchuriki from Kirigakure."
Obito's eyes gleamed red. "The problem is, if we add the Three-Tails, which has been in the Akatsuki organization for a long time, totaling six tailed beasts, how long will it take you to seal them into the Gedo Mazo?"
This question was critical. It was precisely because of the unknown terror of the Gedo Mazo that he insisted on Nagato leading the way.
"...It won't take too long," Nagato sat up from the wooden bed and said slowly, "Just bring the tailed beasts."
"Alright!"
Obito readily agreed, and a Uzumaki twisted behind him. "Without further ado, I'll leave first."
Watching the figure disappear into the air, Nagato closed his eyes, then slowly opened them again, and his body floated up from the wooden bed. "Konan, I'm going to the Land of Thunder. I'll leave the Hidden Rain Village to you for now. Take care of yourself."
"You too. Your body hasn't recovered yet, absolutely don't push yourself."
Konan emerged from the darkness, her face filled with clear concern.
"A mere Kumogakure can no longer pose any threat to me."
A dim light flashed in Nagato's eyes. Several invisible figures appeared behind him. "I'll be back soon."
…
In the Hidden Rain Village, amidst the stormy weather, inside an inconspicuous tall tower, various layers slowly opened, forming a shape like a skylight.
The next moment, a black line shot upward against the wind and rain, straight into the sky.
And as he left, the gray clouds that had long shrouded the Hidden Rain Village slowly dissipated, revealing sunlight, as if one person had taken away the wind and rain.
…
In the forest outside Konoha Village, two Orochimarus stood facing each other, the atmosphere slightly unpleasant.
It had been more than half a day since the 'Chibaku Tensei' seal was broken, but there had been a small snag in their fusion.
"...What a shame."
The young Orochimaru looked at his weakened self and couldn't help but shake his head.
'Spiritual Transformation Technique' and 'Curse Mark' were not too difficult for him. But even though they originated from the same source, their souls had already developed significant differences.
When the original body's soul entered his body just now, it directly caused an adverse reaction, similar to digestion.
If it weren't for his lack of malice, this body would have been left as a vibrant but dead husk... Of course, such a situation wasn't entirely bad.
It's just that Orochimaru was now so stingy that he wouldn't even give up a tiny bit of soul. He wanted to thoroughly squeeze out the value of his previous self.
"It seems I have to use the latter."
The young Orochimaru glanced at the Genie Lamp. "You'll handle the rest."
The Genie Lamp could enter his body and use almost all of his abilities. Having the Genie Lamp do it was the most correct thing to do.
However, there were some abilities now that, even if the Genie Lamp forcibly used them, the body might not be able to withstand.
But this was not a difficult matter for Orochimaru.
A golden light flashed in the young Orochimaru's eyes. He looked directly at himself and shouted, "Transferring Seal!"
Golden streams of light erupted from his eyes and directly entered Orochimaru's eyes.
"Ha... ha..."
Orochimaru felt as if he had been heavily struck. He covered his eyes and fell to the ground, gasping for air.
After an unknown amount of time, he stood up, a weak smile on his face. "It's indeed a powerful force. Even for me, it's difficult to bear this pupil power."
They originated from the same source, and their connection was far greater than that between Uchiha relatives and brothers. Even so, he felt like his eyes were about to explode.
But with this power, he had gained some leverage in his dealings with the White Snake Sage.
---
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